Visitors to and residents of Bogota can directly connect with nature on June 5, World Environment Day (WED), through a visit to Bioparque La Reserva, just outside the city limits, in the Cundinamarca department.
Bioparque La Reserva, located 20 minutes outside the city in the municipality of Cota, provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about and explore the relation between plants, animals and man by venturing through forests and around waterfalls, while taking care when crossing paths with wandering turtles.
WED is a day in which people worldwide participate in and promote actions to improve the environment. La Reserva, provides the perfect starting point for changing outlooks towards the environment on WED, as the main objective of the park is to promote respect for all forms of life, with the goal of changing public conduct in respect to the conservation of nature.
During a visit to the park, visitors receive an explanation of how they can help to prevent the extinction of species and global warming through the use of sustainable resources.
Furthermore, the man-made structures that dot the park are all built with a “green” consciousness to decrease the impact on the environment by using recycled materials, open air spaces, natural light and drainage systems that prevent erosion.
The park offers a complete immersion experience in which visitors may experience the flora and fauna of the Sabana wetlands that live in the reserve’s natural habitat, including 15 species of birds and reptiles that share the trail. Among the most prized is the reserve’s Harpy Eagle, the largest and most powerful raptor found in the Americas.
Guests also have the opportunity to hike along various trails through the Andean forests to waterfalls, while watching their step for crossing turtles and iguanas.
The park also caters to a younger crowd. Children three years and up can enjoy workshops that promote familiarity with the natural environment. Kids are introduced to topics such as animal classification, animal communication, evolution and adaptation of species, as well as to preventative measures they can take to preserve their own ecosystems.
Visitors to BioParque La Reserva will receive a full sensory nature experience, while expanding their knowledge and appreciation of the natural world.
Entrance to the park costs COP 11,000 for adults, and COP 7,500 for children, and the park is open everyday from 9AM-5PM.
